Youth employment, unemployment both rise in summer

August 22, 2001

The number of employed youth 16 to 24 years old increased by about 2.4 million from April to July 2001. This year's seasonal expansion in youth employment was slightly larger than last year's growth of 2.2 million.

The number of unemployed youth, which also normally grows at this time of year, rose by 473,000 between April and July, about the same as the increase in the prior 2 years.

Thus, the youth labor force rose by about 2.9 million from April to July, to reach a total of 24.8 million. The youth labor force—16- to 24-year olds either employed or actively looking for work (unemployed)—grows sharply between April and July each year as large numbers of high school and college students take or seek summer employment. In addition, many recent graduates begin or look for year-round jobs.

Self-employment in the United States
Trends in self-employment by various demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, including both the unincorporated and the incorporated self-employed, as well as data on paid employees who work for the self-employed.